Lyft drives impact of Richmond non-profits through community grant initiative as part of company’s Relief Rides Program

Lyft names YWCA Richmond as first recipient of new program

RICHMOND, Virginia (July 30, 2018) – Lyft, the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S., today announced a new program to support the important work of Richmond area non-profit organizations focused on building stronger, healthier, more equitable communities. Every month, starting with August 2018, Lyft will award one non-profit $1,000 in Lyft ride credits to ease transportation challenges and support their work to create positive change in the Richmond region. This initiative is a part of Lyft’s Relief Rides program, which has committed $1.5 million over the next year to providing transportation to those in need.

Lyft also announced today that the first recipient of the community grant program will be YWCA Richmond. YWCA Richmond is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

“YWCA Richmond was honored to receive Lyft’s first community engagement grant in the region,” said Linda Tissiere, CEO of YWCA Richmond. “Transportation is a major obstacle for women and families fleeing intimate partners violence and this partnership, between Lyft and YWCA Richmond, will allow us to make sure those survivors can get to emergency housing, counseling sessions and their jobs as they build resiliency and work to sustain themselves as head of their new household.”

As an active member of the greater Richmond business community, Lyft is excited to continue strengthening partnerships with local organizations that are doing important work in the community. The Richmond Community Grants program was developed to help Lyft identify and connect with some of the area’s hardest working organizations.

“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to Richmond non-profit organizations doing inspiring work on behalf of the community,” said Cabell Rosanelli, the Market Manager for Lyft Richmond. “We at Lyft are grateful we can provide extra support to these organizations by way of transportation and we are so proud to kick off the program with YWCA Richmond as our first Community Grants partner.”

The $1,000 in ride credit is awarded each month and recipients are selected through a competitive application process. Any 501(c)3 organization that operates in the Richmond metro area is eligible to apply for a grant. Interested applicants can learn more about the opportunity and apply by visiting Lyft’s Richmond Community Grants website here.

About Lyft

Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S. and is available to 95 percent of the US population. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience and its commitment to effecting positive change for the future of our cities.